Measles alert expands in Framingham

Wednesday

Feb 26, 2014 at 6:00 AM

By Brian BensonDaily News Staff

FRAMINGHAM – Three businesses in Framingham are coping with exposure to measles stemming from two different cases, local health officials said Tuesday.The state notified Framingham on Feb. 21 that a local person contracted measles. Health officials traced that person’s movements and issued alerts this week for Trader Joe’s at 659 Worcester Road and Samba restaurant at 1138 Worcester Road.Health officials encouraged people who were at Trader Joe’s between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Feb. 15 and Feb. 16 or at Samba between 5:30 and 9 p.m. on Feb. 15 to examine health alerts posted on the town’s website.People born in the United States before 1957 are likely immune to measles. People born in or after 1957 who don't have documentation of having two doses of vaccination against measles or serologic evidence of immunity must receive a dose of vaccine as soon as possible, according to one of the alerts.Public Health Director Steven Ward said the case is unrelated to another case involving a Spencer person who works at Framingham's Bose Corp. Ward said Framingham has worked with Bose officials to ensure employees have been vaccinated. Vaccination clinics have also been held at the other two businesses and at Framingham's town hall.Kitty Mahoney, the town’s chief public health nurse, said while many people have been vaccinated, including most children who have attended Framingham Public Schools, it is important to notify the public."Measles is one (disease) we jump on right away," because it is very contagious, Mahoney said.According to the state Department of Public Health, there have been three or fewer cases of measles reported every year in Massachusetts between 2003 and 2013, except for 19 cases in 2006 and 24 in 2011.Early symptoms occur 10 days to two weeks after exposure and may include a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A rash develops two to four days after the initial symptoms. The rash begins on the head and moves downward. The rash generally lasts a few days before disappearing, according to the state.People may be contagious up to four days before the rash appears and for four days after the day the rash appears, according to the state.All the businesses affected have been cooperative, Framingham health officials said.Bose spokeswoman Joanne Berthiaume said in an email that a case of measles was confirmed at one of the company’s Framingham facilities."We have followed all state and local guidelines to protect and inform our employees," she said.Noah Gao, a manger at Samba, said the restaurant planned to hold a clinic Tuesday to ensure employees were vaccinated.A spokeswoman for Trader Joe’s could not be reached for comment.Several customers outside Trader Joe’s Tuesday said they have previously been vaccinated."I didn’t think twice about coming (to Trader Joe's)," said Lauren Marks, who lives in Southborough.Marks said she is glad to see the town taking the situation seriously and notifying the public because there may be people at risk.Framingham health officials encouraged residents to check the town’s website framinghamma.gov for the latest information. Information is also available on a hotline at 508-532-5478 (option 4).Brian Benson can be reached at 508-626-3964 or bbenson@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @bbensonmwdn.